The Undying

“Come now; surely it’s not as bad as all that!” I grinned as I walked along the corridor. My wards followed me like a group of faithful ducklings, the girl I favored most on my left side.

“No, honestly your Majesty. He had a wart on his nose and smelled of pickled fish.”

“Please tell me that you did not encourage him even at your father’s bidding?” I murmured, wondering if I might have to intercede on her behalf.

“Of course not! Why would I ever accept such a man?”

“Are you still holding out for your mate then Tara?” I wondered.

“I am. Do you still not believe in such things, your Majesty?” Tara asked. I smirked and rolled my eyes.

“Can you blame me for not? Could you imagine what manner of male would be mated to me?” I wiggled my eyebrows. Tara giggled and shook her head as we made our way to the throne room.

“He would need to be fearsome indeed! Your poor sister does not deserve such a brother in law!” I grinned at her banter.

“Indeed! Nor this kingdom such a King!” I quite enjoyed Tara’s company. Every year there were new wards, sent by their families to learn proper manner and be guided to suitable marriage partners. I found I enjoyed many of them as friends while they were there, but they were all soon gone.

Tara had stayed with me for three years now, and I found myself grateful for the company. I adored my twin sister Dragut, but since our father’s descent into simple-mindedness, the duties of guiding and guarding the kingdom often took us down separate roads.

I paused outside the throne room and smoothed my dress. How I hated these court concocted gowns. Tara moved to stand behind me as was proper, then we entered.

“Make way for Queen Leilani Nomianka.” The herald’s voice rang out, silencing the court as I entered, as familiar to me as my own voice. The man was ancient and had been serving at his post since before my first memories.

“Sister.” I returned my sister’s kind, gentle smile as I took my seat on the lesser throne on the left of the King’s throne. Dragut occupied the throne on the right. “What is the reason I am called to court?” I studied Dragut’s expression warily. I knew that look. Pale, tired, anxious; and the slightest bit clammy. My sister must have had a vision. “Sister, tell me.”

Dragut offered me another sweet smile and clasped my hand over the empty velvet expanse of our father’s throne.

“I’m afraid we shall have great need of you now, sister.” Dragut murmured.

“What do you mean? Surely the significant matters of this kingdom are safest in your hands.” I squeezed Dragut’s hand gently. “We have prospered under your wise rule.”

“And our armies are bolstered under yours. They are soldiers we shall now need, and it is your wise rule that must take precedence.”

“Dragut, you are worrying me. What can you possible mean?” My sister gazed among the court and nodded as if deciding something. “After court. We must tell the nobles to leave and return to their estates. I have already sent away my wards.” Now I was worried. For a Queen or Princess to dismiss her wards was only ever done if the kingdom were in grave danger.

“I will support you, of course.” Dragut nodded and offered me a grateful smile. I waved at the Herald, who banged his cane upon the marble floor to demand silence.

Quiet descended upon the court as it always did; in a continuous wave of talk, then murmurs, then whispers, then nothing at all. I stood when Dragut did, willing some of my own strength into my twin, who looked as if she hadn’t slept in days.

My sister’s visions often took a great deal out of her, and this time was no different. Dragut took a deep breath and spoke. Even before she did so, I had a sense of foreboding so visceral it took my breath away.

“Nobles of the court! We thank you for your attendance. However, for your safety, and the safeguarding of the Kingdom we must ask that you all return to your own homes. Danger makes it’s way to this land, and it must be met with strength and cunning.” Dragut paused to let the murmurs inspired by her words die down. “That said, the safety of our people is the most significant concern. We urge you to leave the safeguarding of this kingdom to your Queens and know that we shall do all we can to protect you. Court is dismissed.”

As one, the nobility bowed and filed out, speaking quietly and urgently among themselves. I held my dread and curiosity in check until the last person was gone.

“Dragut, explain this.” My sister collapsed into her throne, the act of calm dissolving.

“Father was right.” She said.

“About what?” I raised an eyebrow.

“The Undying ones.” Dragut murmured. I felt my eyes widen.

“He was raving, Dragut. Surely.”

“No. I have seen it. They are fearsome in their power, and they desire our kingdom.” I knew my sister less, she would doubt such a thing, but Dragut’s visions did not lie. Still, it was not a small thing to wrap one’s mind around.

“What is it they want?”

“Tera Lunii, of course.”

“What is their power? Have they the gift of sight, like you?” I questioned.

“Far more Leilani. These are beings whose power, with a mere thought and the barest flickering of will, could rip a warrior apart.” My sister smiled wanly at me. “Now you look as pale as me, sister.” I sighed and plopped down on my father’s throne to sit nearer my sister. It was taboo, but I didn’t care.

“What armies do they have?” My mind was working overtime.

“None.” Dragut said. Relief overtook me.

“Well then, surely we can beat them. My armies are well trained and ordered. They are all loyal men.” I was confident in my soldiers and generals.

“We will not beat them.” She sighed.

“Why do you say such things?” My confidence wavered. Dragut wouldn’t say such things lightly.

“Their power is like nothing I have ever seen. We have little time to prepare. They will be upon us in a matter of days.” I stood quickly, the need for action filling me.

“Days!” I exclaimed. “You want me to mobilize and army in a matter of days?”

“Were you not listening, sister? We will not win against them in a battle of force.”

“How then?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Dragut sounded hopeless. “I have seen our fall sister.” I caught the underlying fear in her eyes.

“What else?” I asked, wanting the whole story.

“I have seen they may lay claim to us, also.” I nodded at her statement.

“It would make sense for them to do so.”

“How can you say that?” She looked mildly scandalized.

“What do you mean, how can I say that? If they want to rule here and keep their thrones without fighting off civil wars and such their whole lives, taking us for wives is the only way. If we give them no reason to destroy us, they will not. In your dread vision there is hope after all.”

“Hope? How could you say it is hope? They are monsters!”

“Perhaps they are.” I knelt in front of Dragut. “Sister, would you rather have the monsters as your enemies, or give them a reason to protect you?” I murmured. Swallowing my own fear.

Silence rang free in the throne room as my sister considered my words, Dragut’s eyes searching mine.

“I cannot lie. Your words make sense. But how can you be so calm?”

“We are Queens, are we not dear sister? If we panic, we die.” Dragut smiled at my words and stood up, gathering herself.

“In truth, I am too honest a person for the games I see playing behind your eyes.” There was no venom in her statement, only affection and humor.

“That’s why you are the face of justice, wisdom, and goodness in this realm; and I operate in the shadows. It’s worked thus far has it not?” Dragut shook her head.

“I always wondered how it was that you were born with such secret cunning.” Dragut muttered.

“Who knows? I certainly didn’t get it from our Father.” We both smirked. “I will go and advise the generals on this. Then, you and I must set about finding a way to endear ourselves to these Undying ones.” Dragut nodded in agreement and her expression grew serious once again.

“For is we do not endear ourselves to them, sister, it could mean our utter destruction.”